Fungayi Mandonga
Thesis Title: Exploring the Experiences of Autistic Adults from Sub-Saharan Africa in Accessing and Utilising Autism Services in the UK
There is currently limited research focusing on the lived experiences of autistic adults from minority ethnic communities in the UK. As a result, how the intersection of race, ethnicity, and disability shapes access to, utilisation of, and experiences with autism services remains poorly understood. Although individuals from sub-Saharan Africa represent the second largest non-European immigrant group and the largest Black demographic in the UK, their voices—particularly in adulthood—are rarely reflected in autism research. This study aims to explore the experiences of Nigerian and Ghanaian autistic adults, two of the most established and populous African communities in the UK.
The study adopts an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. Phase one will consist of a national scoping survey to gather baseline data on access to and utilisation of autism services among Black autistic adults. The findings will inform phase two, which will involve semi-structured interviews with Nigerian and Ghanaian autistic adults to gain a deeper understanding of their lived experiences.
Guided by an intersectional analytical framework, the research will examine how overlapping social identities contribute to unique experiences of inclusion, exclusion, and access to support. This approach will help identify structural barriers and enablers to service engagement and highlight any culturally specific unmet needs.
By amplifying the voices of autistic adults under-represented in both policy and academic discourse, this study seeks to inform the development of more inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive autism services, and contribute to a more representative body of autism research in the UK.
Biography:
I have over 20 years of experience working in the voluntary and social housing sectors, specialising in services for vulnerable adults—particularly autistic adults, adults with learning disabilities, and those with mental health needs—across a variety of settings. My roles have included delivering frontline support, managing and overseeing services, and establishing new provisions.
Throughout my career, I have been committed to ensuring that the voices and lived experiences of service users are central to service development and delivery. I am especially passionate about making services culturally responsive and accessible to people from all backgrounds.
This long-standing commitment to inclusive, equitable, and person-centred services—particularly for autistic adults from diverse communities—has strongly influenced my decision to pursue a PhD. My doctoral research focuses on exploring the experiences of Black African autistic adults in the UK, with the aim of contributing to the development of more culturally informed and representative autism services.